Mecca’s Kaaba shines bright from space, NASA astronaut shares stunning picture
Riyadh: NASA astronaut Don Pettit, who recently returned from the International Space Station (ISS), has shared a stunning image of Islam's holiest site, Mecca’s Kabba, from space, which appears illuminated like bright light even from 400 kilometers above the Earth.
Posting the image on X (formerly Twitter), Pettit wrote, "Orbital views of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The bright spot in the center is the Kaaba, Islam's holiest site, visible even from space.”
Orbital views of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The bright spot in the center is the Kaaba, Islam's holiest site, visible even from space. pic.twitter.com/yLSOnboOZC
— Don Pettit (@astro_Pettit) December 1, 2025
Noted for his artistic space photography on his fourth ISS mission between September 2024 and April 2025, Pettit shot the scene from the station’s cupola window using a high-resolution Nikon camera.
The photo captures Mecca’s dense urban landscape set amid rugged valleys, along with the Grand Mosque (Masjid al-Haram) at its center.
The Kaaba, the cube-shaped structure in black kiswah, stands out under constant floodlighting, its surface reflecting both sunlight and artificial light toward orbit, creating a striking light amid the surrounding hills and pilgrimage tents.
According to a report by India Today, from the ISS, cities such as Mecca appear as bright patches at night, their glow created by light pollution from millions of LEDs and sodium lamps that scatter through the atmosphere and remain visible to the station’s sensitive cameras.
The Kaaba stands out because the Grand Mosque is illuminated round the clock for prayer and Hajj pilgrims, a visibility further enhanced by the ISS’s 28,000 km/h orbital speed, which enables rapid captures during each pass over the Arabian Peninsula.
The post has captivated social media users across the world.
User @PaternalPath, wrote, “That’s a breathtaking sight. Really something else.”
Another wrote, “Beautiful. All religions should be respected, same for their sacred spots. I have a huge respect for The Saudis, the Arab people and all the Muslims around the world. May God bless and unite the Abrahamic faith, because we came from the same source. Let there be light. Amen.”
“From orbit, the Kaaba's glow hits different—like Earth's own eternal nightlight for the soul. Divine flex!,” remarked another.
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PM Modi presents copy of Gita in Russian to Putin
New Delhi (PTI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said he presented a copy of the Gita in Russian to President Vladimir Putin.
"Presented a copy of the Gita in Russian to President Putin. The teachings of the Gita give inspiration to millions across the world," PM Modi said in a post on X.
PM Modi hosted a private dinner at his 7, Lok Kalyan Marg residence for Putin, who is on a two-day visit here.
